(aka 'VL'Armata
degli eroi" or "Army of Shadows" or "Army in the Shadows" or "The Shadow Army')

Directed by
Jean-Pierre Melville
France / Italy 1969

Jean-Pierre Melville’s
masterpiece about the French Resistance against the Nazi occupation went
unreleased in the United States for thirty-seven years, before its triumphant
theatrical debut in 2006. Atmospheric and gripping, Army of Shadows is
Melville’s most personal film, featuring Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse,
Jean-Pierre Cassel, and the incomparable Simone Signoret as intrepid underground
fighters who must grapple with their own brand of honor in their battle against
Hitler's regime.

***

Jean-Pierre Melville's gripping
adaptation of Joseph Kessel's seminal wartime novel has been praised as one of
the greatest and the most authentic film portrayals of the French Résistance.

A personal project for over 25 years and drawing on his own experience of
fighting for the Résistance, the film shares the existential themes of his
gangster epics
Le Samouraï and
Le Cercle rouge and shows Melville's mastery of suspense.

Set between the Autumn of 1942 and February 1943, the film follows the story of
a band of Résistance fighters living under German-controlled France. As the war
continues, the grip of the occupying force tightens and friendships, trust and
loyalty give way to secrecy, suspicion and loss.

A tribute to the heroic activities of the everyday members of the Résistance,
L'Armée des ombres is a tense, atmospheric tour de force featuring powerful
performances from Simone Signoret, Lino Ventura and Jean-Pierre Cassel, and a
striking cameo from Serge Reggiani.

• Commentary by Professor Ginette Vincendeau, author of
Jean-Pierre Melville: An American in Paris (BFI) • Le Journal de la Résistance
(1945, 33 mins, b&w) - a rare documentary from the archive of the
Imperial War Museum with English commentary by Noel Coward • Rarely seen short film about
Jean-Pierre Melville from 1968, with footage of him directing on set (4
mins, colour) • Illustrated booklet including essay
by Jean-Michel Frodon and a review of the film on its original release
by Jean-Louis Comolli, both from Cahiers du cinéma magazine; director
biography

• Commentary by Professor Ginette Vincendeau, author of
Jean-Pierre Melville: An American in Paris
• Video interviews with Pierre Lhomme and editor Françoise Bonnot
Archival video excerpts, including on-set footage and interviews with
Melville, cast members, writer Joseph Kessel, and real-life Resistance
fighters
• Jean-Pierre Melville et "L'Armée des ombres" (2006), a
short program on the director and his film
• Le journal de la Résistance (1944), a rare short documentary
shot on the front lines of the final days of German-occupied France
• Film restoration demonstration by Pierre Lhomme
• Liner notes booklet featuring critic Amy Taubin, historian Robert
Paxton, and excerpts from Rui Nogueira’s Melville on Melville

DVD Release Date: May 15th, 2007Transparent Keep Case
Chapters: 27

Release Information:Studio: Criterion

1080P
Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size:

48,641,044,296 bytes

Feature:

29,542,944,768 bytes

Video Bitrate:
21.10 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Edition Details:

• Commentary by Professor Ginette Vincendeau, author of
Jean-Pierre Melville: An American in Paris
• Video interviews with Pierre Lhomme and editor Françoise Bonnot
Archival video excerpts, including on-set footage and interviews with
Melville, cast members, writer Joseph Kessel, and real-life Resistance
fighters
• Jean-Pierre Melville et "L'Armée des ombres" (2006), a
short program on the director and his film
• Le journal de la Résistance (1944), a rare short documentary
shot on the front lines of the final days of German-occupied France
• Film restoration demonstration by Pierre Lhomme

• Original French trailer followed by the US version
(3:01)
• 44-page liner notes booklet featuring critic Amy Taubin, historian Robert
Paxton, and excerpts from Rui Nogueira’s Melville on Melville

ADDITION: Criterion Region 'A' Blu-ray
December 10': With an obvious strong restored original source both DVDs
of Melville's classic looked exquisite on the SD format and my
expectations weren't too optimistic on advancing beyond their
appearance. But, despite the more modest bitrate, the new Criterion Blu-ray
looks magnificent and decidedly different than its lesser format
counterparts. An attribute of comparative analysis is that it can help
expose flaws that were otherwise imperceptible previously. While I don't
imagine that either DVD edition had boosted colors or contrast - it
appears that way with the tighter, more controlled color balance of the
hi-def transfer. The Blu-ray
looks a little brighter with a softer palette and this really benefits
the film experience in my opinion. The improved visibility of grain
structure, less noise (this is very noticeable) and overall
stronger detail/sharpness make for a remarkable viewing. The DVDs both
looks quite green beside the Blu-ray
and without knowing which would be the more accurate appearance in
relation to any theatrical look - the Blu-ray
takes a surprising leap forward in over all appearance. Detail and grain
are one thing but the vastly improved color balance (just look at skin
tones) brings out so much more of the film comparatively making the DVDs
that much flatter and video-like. Army of Shadows always impacts
me - but never like this - and I credit the high-definition appearance.
Wow - what a way to see this draining film in your own home.

Criterion, predictably, stay faithful with the audio rendering with the
2.0 channel stereo but now offered in a lossless DTS-HD Master at 1994
Kbps. The aggressive moments are infrequent but this solid track seems
capable of handling anything thrown at it. The subtle sounds in quieter
moments are what give Army of Shadows is suspenseful edge. Here
they are exported flawlessly.

Original music by Éric Demarsan is clean and crisp
supporting the film's important moments with subtle intent. There are optional English subtitles and,
predictably, my Momitsu
has identified
it as being a region 'A'-locked.

Extras are duplicated from the, same
spine-numbered, Criterion DVD edition including the excellent commentary
and with video portions in HD. I thought I had identified the addition
of two trailers but see they exist on the first disc of the Criterion
DVD. The liner notes are still there and I haven't identified anything
missing.

It's just an incredible film elevating to
essential viewing on Blu-ray.
I can't really expand much more. It has our strongest recommendation.
This masterpiece will never look or sound better for your home theater
viewing. Buy with extreme confidence - you will never regret it.

***

ADDITION: Criterion - Region 1- May
07':
For most people I would say the differences between these two editions
are inconsequential but, as expected, the Criterion nudges ahead in
every area - if only to a small degree. Criterion have done some minor
manipulation to the image - it is marginally brighter and black levels
are likewise that much darker. Colors don't appear to have suffered in
the process. Framing shows no variance but the Criterion has scenes that
are slightly sharper. In essence I wouldn't complain about either
edition's appearance - they both look marvelous from the
newly restored print.

Criterion offers a stereo option as well as the
original mono and the subtitle translation is slightly different in
spots.

The BFI does have the
feature of optional commentary subtitles - which I use and enjoy. I hope
Criterion and other production companies adopt this function in the
future.

Regarding the
supplements - the commentary is duplicated (possibly the first time I
recall Criterion using another edition's commentary track) and
I'll repeat what I said about the BFI - "I really enjoyed Ginette Vincendeau's
commentary (plus she has a beautiful voice and accent). She might be a
little stiff, but expresses an extremely professional manner in her
dissemination of information. She certainly knows her stuff - a joy to
listen to." Also duplicated is the 30 minute Le journal de la
Résistance from 1944 - a rare documentary from the archive of the
Imperial War Museum with English commentary by Noel Coward .

Criterion adds some video interviews with Pierre
Lhomme and editor Françoise Bonnot - archival video excerpts, including
on-set footage and interviews with Melville, cast members, writer Joseph
Kessel, and real-life Resistance fighters. There is a short program
included called Jean-Pierre Melville et "L'Armée des ombres" from
2006 - this is about 25 minutes. There is a film restoration
demonstration by Pierre Lhomme and an excellent 44-page liner notes
booklet featuring critic Amy Taubin, historian Robert Paxton, and
excerpts from Rui Nogueira’s Melville on Melville. There are some
beautiful color photos.

This
is a fabulous historic film and I'd love to recommend the BFI based on
what a complete DVD package that it is, but the truth is as well as
Criterion eclipsing in every area - it is also cheaper after currency
conversion. This makes the Criterion a must-have DVD. No question about
it.

***

On the BFI: Wow... what a great DVD - a film I had
not had the privilege to have ever seen before - from a director whose
work I greatly admire. I anxiously stuck it in the player at very first
opportunity (minutes after it arrived). A newly restored print,
following its theatrical release by the BFI earlier this year looks
absolutely stunning - Criterion-level in its contrast and pure film
feel with Melville's typical dark browns, blues and greens. Dim, as
intended, and very sharp with great shadow detail. First rate image.

I really enjoyed Ginette Vincendeau's
commentary (plus she has a beautiful voice and accent). She might be a
little stiff, but expresses an extremely professional manner in her
dissemination of information. She certainly knows her stuff - a joy to
listen to.

Other
digital supplements include a 33 minute featurette - Le Journal de la
Résistance shot in 1945 - a rare documentary from the archive of the
Imperial War Museum with English commentary by Noel Coward, plus a
rarely seen short film about Jean-Pierre Melville from 1968, with
footage of him directing on set (French with English subtitles). Finally
a wonderful illustrated 20-page booklet including an essay by
Jean-Michel Frodon and a review of the film on its original release by
Jean-Louis Comolli, both from Cahiers du cinéma magazine.
Incredible work by BFI - I am thrilled with this DVD - another in the
list of strong candidates for
Feature DVD of the Month.